OU Holds 2007 Pro Day for Scouts

NORMAN, Okla. -- Seventeen National Football League teams were represented Tuesday at Oklahoma's annual Pro Day. Ten former Sooner players took part in the drills at the Everest Center.

The players tested in seven areas ranging from jumping to speed to agility to strength. They also were put through drills specific to their position by scouts that were on hand for the event.

RB Adrian Peterson took part in only one test, the 60-yard shuttle. He turned in a time of 11.78, the fastest among the five Sooners that participated in that particular test.

Other bests included DB Jason Carter in the vertical jump (37-0), Paul Thompson in the broad jump (10-2), Carter and Thompson in the 40 (4.64), Thompson in the 20-yard shuttle (4.25), Carter and Thompson in the three-cone shuttle (7.02) and Rufus Alexander in the bench press (26 reps of 225 pounds).

Complete Video Coverage of 2007 OU Pro Day

Peterson was impressive in catching the football. He was put through the paces by Oakland Raiders assistant coach Tom Rathman. Peterson had no drops while catching passes thrown by Thompson.

Cleveland Browns scout Phil Savage was impressed.

“Adrian is a terrific talent,” he said. “He caught the ball well today and showed some versatility. At the combine, he double-caught some balls. It put some people's minds at ease that he caught it better today.”

OU head coach Bob Stoops also liked Peterson's workout.

“I was real impressed,” he said. “He even caught a few on his back shoulder. He did real well, but that didn't surprise me.”

Peterson said the pressure of displaying talents for scouts is different than game pressure.

“It's totally different,” said the No. 3 career rusher at OU. “Out here you're just performing in drills and you've got coaches watching you. You try not to think about any of that.”

Peterson said he is concentrating on his receiving abilities for now and is thankful for the preparation he received at OU, especially under the tutelage of sports enhancement director Jerry Schmidt.

“The experience here helped,” he said. “Being with Schmidty for three years, I got a lot out of that. He makes you work hard.”

Several current and former Oklahoma players observed Pro Day. Some of the former players that were back included Clint Ingram, Dusty Dvoracek, Brodney Pool, Wes Sims, Trent Smith and Renaldo Works.

Some 30 media attended the event including representatives from ESPNU, Sports Illustrated and The NFL Network.

All drills were conducted at the Everest Indoor Training Center at the University of Oklahoma:

Vertical Jump
Jason Carter 37-0
Chris Messner 32-0
Laenar Nixon 30.5
Calvin Thibodeaux 30.0
Paul Thompson 35.0

Broad Jump
C.J. Ah You 9-7
Calvin Thibodeaux 9-4
Jason carter 10-1
Chris Messner 8-7
Larry Birdine 9-6
Paul Thompson 10-2
Laenar Nixon 9-11

40-yard Dash
Rufus Alexander 4.69
Larry Birdine 4.88
Jason Carter 4.64
Zach Latimer 4.70
Chris Messner 5.38
Laenar Nixon 4.67
Calvin Thibodeaux 4.80
Paul Thompson 4.64

20-yard Shuttle
C.J. Ah You 4.26
Rufus Alexander 4.27
Jason Carter 4.30
Zach Latimer 4.46
Chris Messner 4.68
Laenar Nixon 4.34
Calvin Thibodeaux 4.49
Paul Thompson 4.25
Larry Birdine 4.52

60-yard Shuttle
Rufus Alexander 12.11
Zach Latimer 12.32
Jason Carter 11.87
Laenar Nixon 12.18
Adrian Peterson 11.78

Three-Cone
Jason Carter 7.02
Zach Latimer 7.43
Chris Messner 7.75
Laenar Nixon 7.52
Calvin Thibodeaux 7.24
Paul Thompson 7.02
Larry Birdine 7.47

Bench Press
(Reps at 225 pounds)
Rufus Alexander 26
Laenar Nixon 21
Jason Carter 10
Chris Messner 18
Calvin Thibodeaux -- 22